MOTORISTS in Paphos had some relief over the Easter break as one of the many main roads undergoing construction was partly opened to traffic.
“I believe there needs to be a change in the law to allow work on large projects to be carried out by crews working twenty four hours to ensure completion as quickly as possible,” said Paphos councillor Nicos Similides
A stretch of the main road, which will be the second part of the circular road around the town, and which is the main road to Paphos General Hospital and main post office, was finally opened after months of work and a plethora of complaints from motorists, residents and local businesses.
“It’s having an adverse affect on their businesses,” said Similides
Paphos roads are under construction in numerous sites as upgrading works to the sewerage system of the coastal town is underway as part of the SABBA works.
But, the ring road is a government project which Similides claims makes it hard for the municipality to have any control over.
“They [the government] only appear to be giving us general information about it and I have no idea when the road is due for completion,” Similides said.
“They informed us prior to commencement of the work that it would take a year to finish, so I’m hoping it will be opened before the summer.”
He said such work was completed in as little time as possible in other countries such as Greece and the UK with a number of construction crews working in shifts over a twenty-four hour period.
“I believe when work was carried out on the Nicosia to Limasol road this was also the case and this should be happening in Paphos now,” he added.
The councillor also outlined his concerns for future projects of which there are four large ones earmarked to start in Paphos in the coming months.
One of these is the upgrading and pedestrianisation of parts of central Paphos including Kennedy square, which he said would cause untold traffic disruption.
“We need to get projects finished quickly and cause the least disruption to the residents and businesses as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, motorists have welcomed the opening of part of the ring road which now has a smooth tarmaced surface.
One motorist said: “It’s a relief having a normal road to drive on, but it’s about time this road was completed. It’s terrible having to drive up here every day and I wonder what trouble ambulances have had when they are trying to access the hospital. The government should complete these things much quicker, I don’t understand why everything takes so long.”
Similides concluded:”A lot of people have suffered in the last months and it shouldn’t be this way.”
